Image SEO: Alt Text, File Names and Sizing
Images make pages engaging, but search engines cannot 'see' them the way people do. Image SEO is about giving search engines the context they need while keeping your pages fast and accessible to every visitor.
Done properly it earns extra traffic from Google Images and supports your main rankings at the same time, all from work you would largely do for accessibility anyway.
The Essentials
Three small habits cover most of the value and take very little time once they become routine.
- Descriptive file names:
oak-dining-table.jpgbeatsIMG_4821.jpg. - Alt text: describe the image plainly; it aids both screen readers and search engines.
- Right size and format: compress images and use modern formats to keep pages quick.
Accessibility and SEO Together
Good alt text is required for accessibility and rewarded by search engines, so the same effort serves both goals. Describe what the image actually shows in context; avoid stuffing keywords where they do not belong.
Performance Matters Too
Large, uncompressed images are one of the most common causes of slow pages, which hurts both rankings and conversions. Serving appropriately sized images, using formats like WebP or AVIF, and lazy-loading anything below the fold keeps pages fast without sacrificing quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should every image have alt text?
Meaningful images yes. Purely decorative images can use empty alt text so screen readers skip them.
If you need a hand with any of this, your Progressive Robot delivery team is ready to help. Raise a ticket from the Support area of your client portal or speak to your account manager and we will guide you through the next steps.